Tonight big news from pope francis who seems to be taking on members of his own church, those clergy who focus on attacking abortion and homosexuality. He sent word to 1.2 million catholics around the world that it's time for the church to have a new message. Abc's dan harris has the pope making headlines. Reporter: It is the most bracing move yet from a pope who was already sending signals of being new and different, living in a simple room, driving a beatup old car, taking a selfie with visiting tourists. In a blunt new interview published in jesuit journals around the world, pope francis says the church has become obsessed with small-minded rules and that it must be the home of all, not a small chapel that can hold onto a small group of selected people. He declares we are not insist on related issues related to abortion, contraceptive methods. This represents a huge shift that for a church for decades actively lobbied against these things. The last pope said while on a trip to africa that contraception may make the aides epidemic worse. To be clear he's not saying he doesn't support the teaching of the church on these hot button social issues? I think he has opened the door to a conversation about how is it that we form our own attitude and our own lives as catholic christians. Reporter: It's a historic interview from a pope signaling to a church at a cross roads that they must be less judgemental and more pastoral. The pope was asked about another hot button issue, the role of women in the church. He seemed to reaffirm his rejection of female priests. Quote, a woman has a different makeup than a man. Thanks so much, dan. These words rippling around the globe tonight. It's official tonight.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

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